The Cincinnati Bengals could face a major setback on offense, putting star WR Ja’Marr Chase’s outlook for Sunday in question.

As Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, that leaves Jake Browning as the Bengals' option at quarterback. If Browning is back in there, it renews the major concerns over the Bengals' offense from a fantasy perspective.

According to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., that has Golden classifying Stewart as in the “infant stage” of his onboarding process in the program. That’s an infancy part of the process heading into Week 9 with Trey Hendrickson hurt and the Bengals generating zero quarterback hits on the previously 0-7 Jets.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears will have one of the NFL’s most senior referees on the call Thursday night. Clete Blakeman has been an NFL official since 2008 and a head referee since 2010, and this will be the 17th Cincinnati game he’s officiated.

As the Steelers try to fix their pass defense woes, Pittsburgh brought in a former Saints and Bengals secondary standout.

The Cincinnati Bengals defense went young. Two rookie linebackers and a rookie edge rusher, all starting. A cast of unproven recent NFL Draft picks across the defensive line. Even the secondary, experienced by comparison, still has four starters on rookie deals.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals released veteran defensive tackle Mike Pennel on Tuesday. It turns out the 34-year-old asked for his release. That wish was granted. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report that Pennel asked for his release. He clearly knew that the Kansas City Chiefs were interested in his services.